Spending
hours on coupons and rebates may not be worthwhile for a busy family. However, they might
be a good deal for those with lots of time or seniors on a fixed income or persons who
simply prefer name brand products.

To
get the most out of coupons you've got to be organized. You'll need to get several Sunday
newspaper inserts each week, clip the coupons you want, organize them and discard the ones
that have expired. At the store you must remember which coupons you've got and which are
about to expire. In addition the store may be out of the particular product specified.
Rebates will give you the most savings. You will pay tax on the full price of the product
BEFORE the coupon or rebate.

I
use coupons for some products. However, in general I feel buying store brands can save
just as much without all the work. Busy families today could spend this time better
together doing things they enjoy.

6.0.1 HOW TO USE SUPERMARKET AND GROCERY COUPONS AND REBATES

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If you want to get the most out of coupons, you must be organized as described above.
You'll also need to ask your friends and family to save coupon inserts, magazines with
coupons, and coupons that come in the mail. The more coupons you file, the more
flexibility you'll have to get the best deal at the store, such as combining a coupon with
a sale price and/or a rebate.

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Generally buy the SMALLEST size with a coupon. Why? Because then the unit price should be
the lowest. Use your calculator to check.

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New products frequently offer a hefty coupon and rebate when introduced.

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Rebates will save you even more. Generally you'll need the following: an original rebate
form (no copies!), an original cash register receipt, and the UPC code from the package.
Be sure to mail these with your address (plus pay for a $.32 stamp) before the rebate
expires or your child throws out the box with the UPC code. When you get the rebate check
as much as six weeks later, cash it before it expires.